coolkatiedid's reviews
10 reviews

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism by Sarah Wynn-Williams

fast-paced

5.0

Well written and easy to read. A brutal takedown of Facebook lore. 

Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care by Kelly Hayes, Mariame Kaba

hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

This is a good book to read right now in early 2025. It can be easy to sink into political apathy in response to *waves hands at everything*, as well as get burned out from Sisyphean efforts that see many boulders roll back downhill. This book has advice for avoiding both. It took me a little longer to read because sometimes seeking out a pep talk about something also feels like wallowing in negative feelings about it and I needed a little break in the middle.

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

mysterious

3.0

Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

5.0

If this were the first Ann Patchett book I’d ever read, I would never read another one. But the story is wonderful. But if I weren’t in public when I reached the end, I would have thrown it across the room. But I still think about the characters a year later.

Medical Bondage: Race, Gender, and the Origins of American Gynecology by Deirdre Cooper Owens

5.0

A necessary read for anyone in Women’s health.

Computing Across America: The Bicycle Odyssey of a High-Tech Nomad by Steven K. Roberts

1.0

This is a so bad it’s good story. Sometimes I remember this book exists and I think to myself, “Wow, someone really wrote that and put their name to it.” Quirky, but in a bad way. I wish more people had read it so I could talk to them about it. 

He takes more than one woman on the same date. He sleeps with his cousin??!? There’s a bit of disappointment that college girls are not interested in this (older) guy. I understand pursuing your dreams and not letting parenthood define you, but this guy did NOT let parenthood define him while his ex did all the parenting during the duration of whatever this is.

First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

Intriguing story that I didn’t predict the twist to! I may have enjoyed it more not having it hyped up before I read it, and just getting back into reading.

Maison Ikkoku Collector's Edition, Vol. 1 by Rumiko Takahashi

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

Very cute story. Sexism a little dated. Now I want to read more, but the next volumes are harder to find in the same “edition”! If you want your books to match, watch out for this or pick a different edition to start with.

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0